Church tackles crime in live love campaign

"The present worrying situation of escalating rates of murder, crime and violence continue to be of major concern to many in our nation. Over the years, we have made in-roads, which have not been sustained. We believe that the gains have not been sustained because at the root of the problem is a moral issue, which cannot be addressed using only socio-economic strategies." - from Live Love Organizing Committee.

On this most pressing problem, the churches are working together on several fronts simultaneously, from many angles, with both short and long term strategies. One such initiative is dubbed 'Take Back Jamaica - Live Love'. This is calling the churches to use their collective strength and moral authority to tackle the monsters of murder and crime and violence at the very root. It is only with love and a commitment to doing right that we can bring an effective and lasting solution.

The Live Love Campaign (LLC) is aimed at going into volatile 'hot spot' communities to meet face to face and reason with citizens. We must all understand and embrace the need to think and act differently toward each other, to bring about a more peaceful and prosperous society. The Campaign shares with citizens how to practically live love and right values that make for success. It is intended that this Campaign will expand island-wide and to all sectors of society.

One of the churches involved in the LLC is Fellowship Tabernacle. They started this initiative in November by holding 'live love meetings' in Maverley, Drewsland, Duhaney Park, and Pembroke Hall. Fellowship Tabernacle will be accelerating the Campaign in January for the next five months.

One of the spokespersons in the Campaign, Pastor Al Miller emphasized: "This monster of murder and other social ills must be addressed now as the nation's survival depends on it". He said "the problem must be tackled at the root, by the church in a united way. More weapons to the police and incarceration have not proven to work. Citizens living love will bring transformation."

Many other churches will join in 2016 to saturate the city of Kingston and other parishes.

All churches island-wide are invited to join the 'Take Back Jamaica - Live Love Campaign'.